Removal of ciprofloxacin from aqueous solution by activated carbon prepared from orange peel using zinc chloride

In this study, the removal of Ciprofloxacin (CPX) from aqueous solutions was investigated by a new activated carbon adsorbent prepared from orange peel (ACOP) with chemical activation using ZnCl₂. The physicochemical properties of orange peel activated carbon were characterized by proximate and ultimate analysis, scanning electron microscopy, BET surface area determination and Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopic studies. According to Brunauer–Emmett–Teller isotherm and non-local-density functional theory, the cumulative surface area, pore volume and pore size of ACOP were determined as 1193 m2 g-1, 0.83 cc g-1 and 12.7 Å, respectively. The effects of contact time, pH, temperature and ACOP dose on the batch adsorption of CPX were studied. Adsorption equilibrium data of CPX with ACOP were found to be compatible with both the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. CPX adsorption capacity of ACOP was calculated as 181.8 mg g-1 using Langmuir isotherm. The CPX adsorption kinetics were found to be harmonious with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Conclusively, ACOP can be assessable as an effective adsorbent for the removal of ciprofloxacin (CPX) from aqueous solutions.